Forensic stomatological identification of a murderer

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1 Rom J Leg Med 15 (1) (2006) 2006 Romanian Society of Legal Medicine Forensic stomatological identification of a murderer Calin Scripcaru*, Irina Agrosoaie, Natalia Ceavdari, Irina Manoilescu, Abstract: Starting from a case of incest between son and mother followed by the mechanical asphixia of the victim, determined by the fact that the author didn t recognise the crime, the police officer asked for a medico-legal odontological examination. On the chin of the victim we could see two wounds which were compared with the incisive teeth of the suspect. The experts used electronical photos of the victim and of the teeth of the suspect and a mulage of the dental structure of the suspect. We used four of the five methods described: photos, printing, mulage and superposition. The sizes, shapes and positions of the wounds were identical with the incisive teeth of the suspect. The single difference was determined by the distace between the two wounds, wich was 2mm longer than the distance between the incisives of the suspect. The authors explained the diffirence was determined by the elastic layers of the skin in the chin region. The great number of concordant elements supported the conclusion that the wounds were produced by the teeth of the suspect. Key words: chin wounds, incisival spaice, mulage, superposition S tarting from a case of rape followed by mechanical asphyxia. The main suspect is the son of the victim. the police officer asked for a medico-legal odontological examination. On the chin of the victim we could see two wounds which were compared with the incisive teeth of the suspect. Together with many ecchymosis and bruses, on the chin it was possible to identify two linear cutted wounds with marker characteristics.the wounds are horizontal, placed on a slightly curve line, presenting smooth, well defined borders, flat angles, excepting Fig. 1 *)Corresponding author, Professor, Institutul de Medicină Legală Iaşi, str. Buna Vestire nr. 4, Iaşi , Romania 45

Scripcaru Calin et al Forensic stomatological identification the left wound which has a sharp external angle.

The measurement of the wounds and of the free space (using the Image Tool programme) showed the left wound of 4,94 mm, the right wound of 7,12 mm and the free space of 9,56 mm. (Fig.

under the chin we found a diffuse violaceous ecchymosis without marker characteristics (Fig. 2).

2 Scripcaru Calin et al Forensic stomatological identification the left wound which has a sharp external angle. Taking into account the appearance of the wounds, the force of compression seems to be equal on their entire length. The measurement of the wounds and of the free space (using the Image Tool programme) showed the left wound of 4,94 mm, the right wound of 7,12 mm and the free space of 9,56 mm. (Fig. 1) The length and the width of the wounds showed to be several tenth of milimeter bigger than the object that produced them, as a consequence of the Fig. 2 local tissual inflamation preceeding death.under the chin we found a diffuse violaceous ecchymosis without marker characteristics (Fig. 2). The ecchymosis of the internal side of the left thigh has the same dimensions as the two chin wounds and of the free space between them (Fig. 3). Fig. 3 The dental examination of the suspect showed that tooth 21 has a smooth incisal edge, sharp and without crenels. Tooth 11 is missing. Tooth 12 has a smooth incisal edge, without crenels and slightly narrow and inclined, compared with Fig. 4 tooth 21. The width of tooth 21 is 8 mm, the free space of 8,57 mm, and the width of tooth 12 of 5,01 mm, by direct measurement of the suspect (Fig. 4). MASURATORI EFECTUATE PE AMPRENTA LUATA PE MULAJ DE CEARA: Fig The measurement of the impression on a wax moulage showed the width of tooth 21 of 7,33 mm, the free space of 8,26 mm, the width of tooth 12 of 5,04 mm.

3 Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine Vol. XV, nr. 1, 2007 The measurements of the impression on a plastic moulage showed the width of tooth 21 of 8,45 mm, the free space of 8,31 mm, the width of tooth 12 of 4,93 mm (Fig. 6) Fig. 6 Fig. 7 The reconstruction of the imprint of teeth 12, 21 and of the free space using the plaster moulage (Fig. 7, 8). Reconstituirea amprentei dintilor frontali dupa mulajul de ghips Fig. 8 47

size (Fig. 9). The superposition of the mark of the frontal teeth on the image of the wounds of the victim, after both images were brought to the natural size(fig. 10). CONCLUSIONS 1.

4 Scripcaru Calin et al Forensic stomatological identification Fig. 9 Suprapunerea urmei dinţilor frontali pe amprenta din luată pe The superposition of the mark of the frontal teeth on the imprint on plastic material, after both images were brought to the natural size (Fig. 9). The superposition of the mark of the frontal teeth on the image of the wounds of the victim, after both images were brought to the natural size(fig. 10). CONCLUSIONS 1. The dimensions of both wounds are approximately equal with those of the studied teeth. The small differences between them could be the consequence of local tissual reactions. 2. The difference is bigger when we compare the free space measured on the suspect s denture with the distance between the wounds on the victim s chin (aprox. 1 mm) 3. The morphology of the lesions reflects with fidelity the aggressor s teeth shape because of its location on a soft tissue over a bony plan. 4. The superimposition method showed an evident correspondence between the marks taken by the three methods described below and the characteristics of the aggressor s teeth. 5. The same correspondence was confirmed between the aggressor s teeth and the shape and size of the victim s wounds. 6. The methods we used (pictures, moulages, imprints and superposition) and the measurements we made on the digital images with the help of image Tool programme showed almost identical results. 7. We appreciate that most probable the studied chin wounds were produced by aggressor s teeth 12 and

5 Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine Vol. XV, nr. 1, The most credible credible way the chin wounds were produced, was by direct striking of the chin towards the superior teeth of the aggressor and not by classical bite. 9. Most probably the parallel ecchymosis on the internal side of the left thigh were produced by biting by sliding of the teeth with the same characteristics towards the soft tissues of the victim. 10. The morphological peculiarities of a person s denture represent individual characteristics and there is a very low probability to find two identical persons in the same areal Bibliografie 1. Pretty IA, Sweet D. Anatomical location of bitemarks and associated findings in 101 cases from the United States. Journal of Forensic Sciences 2000; 2. Atsu SS, Gokdemir K, Kedici PS, Ikyaz YY. Bitemarks in forensic odontology. Journal of Forensic Odontostomatology 1998; 3. Pretty IA and Sweet D. Teeth in the determination of human identity. British Dental Journal 2001; 4. Sweet D, Bowers CM. Accuracy of bite mark overlays: a comparison of five common methods to produce exemplars from a suspect s dentition. Journal of Forensic Sciences 1998; 5. Naru AS, Dykes E. Digital image cross-correlation technique for bite mark invcestigations. Sciense & Justice 1997; 6. Sweet D and Pretty IA. Teeth as weapons of violence. British Dental Journal 2001; 7. Kerr NW. Apple bitemark indentification of suspect. International Journal of Forensic Dentistry 1977; 8. Hyzer WG, Krauss TC. Bitemark standard reference scale ABFO No.2. Journal of Forensic Sciences 1988; 49

JOURNAL of FORENSIC ODONTO- STOMATOLOGY VOLUME 32 Number 1 July 2014

JOURNAL of FORENSIC ODONTO- STOMATOLOGY VOLUME 32 Number 1 July 2014 SECTION BITE MARKS Are they dermatological lesions, bottle top burns or bite mark injuries? Jayanie B. Weeratna 1 1 Forensic Odontologist,